[Review]: Séance

Scottie Thompson as Emma in Séance

Set in California in the tail-end of the 1800s, Séance is a period chiller that examines grief, morality and monogamy. Directed by Vivian Kerr, the film centres itself around a novelist who, whilst holidaying with her second husband, finds herself needing to shelter from a storm at the home of her first husband and his new wife. As the evening progresses, the group begin to experience strange phenomena which will cause them to not only face ghosts of the past, but also spirits from their present.

Emma Strand (Scottie Thompson) is a highly successful novelist who, from an outside perspective, enjoys her life with her younger artist husband Albert (Connor Paolo). However, beneath the surface Emma is frustrated by the lack of sexual connection between the couple, seemingly due to Albert’s hesitancy in consummating the marriage. After a chance encounter, Emma and Albert are invited to dinner at the home of Emma’s first husband George (Jilon VanOver) and his new wife Lillian (Vivian Kerr). When a storm begins to rage, Emma and Albert find themselves forced to stay the night, and conversation soon turns to the subject of spiritualism and séances. With the very recent and tragic drowning of George and Lillian’s daughter Hazel, Lillian seems intent on proving her spirit lives on in their house. 

Capturing the era of Victorian spiritualism perfectly along with ideal set design, Séance is an unsettling portrayal of the power of both grief and manipulation. Continuing the tradition of setting marital dramas against a gothic creeping dread in the same vein as The Yellow Wallpaper by author Charlotte Perkins Gilman (which was published in the same year as Séance is set – 1892), the film does a very capable job of demonstrating historical relationship dilemmas – sexuality, gender role dynamics, and abuse – which are just as relatable in the modern era.  

The characterisation of the female roles of Emma and Lillian are fully realised personalities, thankfully avoiding the downfall into the usual stereotypes of cold and heartless first wife, and “hysterical” mentally ill new wife. Emma is, despite her shortcomings when it comes to her faithfulness, a highly likeable character who audiences can get behind and feel an overwhelming sense of empathy for, much like Lillian, who, although suffering from an incredible loss, still presents herself with a quiet strength and resolve.  Séance is a charming period ghost story that explores themes of gender role dynamics, sexuality and relationship abuse, that proves the importance of girl code.

3.5 Screams out of 5